Seville is one of Spain’s most magical cities, packed with utterly beautiful architecture, some of the best tapas in Andalucía, and, of course, flamenco. But one of its greatest strengths is its location – a perfect gateway to the wider region of Southern Spain.
In easy reach of Seville, you can find a microcosm of just about everything Spain has to offer. It’s the greatest Moorish monuments. The oldest city in Europe. Long sweeping beaches. Flamenco and tapas. Wild countryside and dizzying gorge walks.
Here are the best day trips from Seville, how to get there, and how to make the most of each one.
1. Córdoba
How to get there: Just 50 minutes by high-speed train from Seville’s Santa Justa station to Córdoba Central, with about 40 trains a day.
Why go: One of Andalucía’s largest cities, Córdoba was once the most important in all of Spain. During Spain’s Moorish era, it was the capital of Al-Andauls.
You can still see monuments to this former greatness. Most famously, the city is home to one of Spain’s most incredible – and most popular – attractions: the Mosque-Cathedral. Outside of this, exploring the ancient riverside city, especially its Jewish Quarter, makes for an ideal day trip from Seville.
Top 3 things to do in Córdoba:
- Visit the Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral): A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Built as the city’s main mosque when Córdoba was the centre of Islamic Spain, the Catholic monarchs later added a Christian cathedral to its heart, creating a unique monument to Spain’s mixing pot heritage.
- Explore the Jewish Quarter (La Judería): Córdoba’s Jewish Quarter is one of the best preserved in all of Spain, home to a mudéjar medieval synagogue and an excellent museum about Sephardic Jews.
- Stroll over the Roman Bridge: Córdoba’s Roman bridge is more than 2000 years old, dating back to the 1st century BC.
Top tips:
- Book ahead for the Mezquita to avoid queues.
- If you can, stay after dark to see the Roman Bridge lit up at night.
2. Málaga
How to get there: Around 2 hours by train from Seville or accessible by car.
Why go: Too often overlooked by tourists flocking to the Costa del Sol, Málaga has reinvented itself as a cultural hub, with excellent museums, a stunning old town, and access to some of the Costa del Sol’s best scenery.
Top 3 things to do:
- Explore Málaga’s art scene: Málaga dubs itself the ‘city of museums’ – and with good reason. It’s home to more than 40 of them!. Its art scene especially packs a punch, home to the Picasso Museum Málaga (the city’s most famous son) and a branch of the Pompidou Centre. Through the MAUS collective, it also has an excellent street art scene, with huge murals covering the walls of the Soho neighbourhood.
- Climb up to the Gibralfaro and Alcazaba: Málaga is home to not just one but two Moorish fortresses, both perched on the same hill overlooking the sea. The Alcazaba, especially, is home to stunning architecture, one of the best preserved in Spain. Slightly higher up is Gibralfaro, once an impregnable fortress. At the bottom of the hill, you’ll find the ruins of the city’s Roman theatre.
- Stroll through the Old Town: Málaga’s old town is one of the loveliest in Spain. It’s a perfect blend of elegant, wide boulevards and narrow medieval lanes, all centered on its majestic cathedral. Spend a few hours simply wandering through, stopping to eat at its many lively tapas bars.
Top tip: Take the short bus along the coast to Pedregalejo, the old fisherman’s quarter, for excellent seafood restaurants spilling out onto the long sandy beach.
3. Ronda
How to get there: Around 2 hours by car or coach from Seville.
Why go: One of Spain’s most photogenic towns. Dramatically spanning over an impossibly steep gorge, Ronda is one of those places where, whichever way you turn, it’s a masterpiece. The small city is also packed with history and surrounded by excellent hiking.
Top 3 things to do:
- See the Puente Nuevo: Ronda’s most famous sight is this iconic bridge, spanning the gorge that cuts through the city, separating the old town from the new. The views are dizzying.
- Go hiking & enjoy the views: Ronda sits on the edge of stunning countryside, with a national park on both sides of the city. There’s a real mix – cliffs, rolling hills, forests, vineyards, and, of course, breathtaking vistas of Ronda itself and the gorge. You can find some of the best hikes on Komoot. If you don’t fancy walking too far afield, Ronda’s old town is also a delight to explore – a maze of quiet lanes, whitewashed houses and leafy plazas.
- Visit the bizarre Museo Lara: Ronda is home to one of Andalucía’s best museums – the genuinely one-of-a-kind Museo Lara. Across sprawling rooms, it showcases the collection of Juan Antonio Lara Jurado, an octogenarian collector who lives upstairs. Especially interesting are the sections on the Spanish Inquisition and witchcraft.
Top tips:
- For the best views of El Tajo Gorge, grab a drink at one of the bars clinging to the side of the gorge, such as Bar Don Miguel.
- Visit the ruins of the city’s Arab Baths – some of the best preserved in Spain. Then don your swimming costume and try it out for real at the (much more modern) Turkish baths Aguas de Ronda, with 5 pools.
4. Caminito del Rey
How to get there: About 2 hours by car or as part of an organised tour from Seville. Public transport is possible via train to El Chorro, but requires planning.
Why go: Once known as the world’s most dangerous walkway, this gorge-side path has been completely restored. It’s now a safe, thrilling walk through stunning natural beauty.
Reasons to go:
- A dizzyingly beautiful hike: A 7km route through some of Spain’s most dramatic scenery, with the path clinging to the side of a steep gorge, with rope bridges across. Not for the faint-hearted!
- Spot wildlife: Keep your eyes peeled for griffon vultures flying above, as well as mountain goats.
- Learn the history: Most walks are by guided tour, which is a great way to discover the Caminito’s fascinating origins, built for hydroelectric workers in the early 20th century.
Top tip: If you’re starting from Seville, save yourself a lot of hassle by going with an organised trip. The best provider is Naturanda, a local tour operator.
5. Jerez de la Frontera
How to get there: About 1 hour by direct train or bus from Seville. Trains leave from Santa Justa in central Seville regularly.
Why go: Jerez is most famous as the birthplace of sherry, and a must-visit for any wine enthusiasts. It’s also one of Andalucía’s flamenco hotspots and a chance to visit a genuinely authentic city, often skipped by tourists.
Top 3 things to do:
- Tour a sherry bodega: If you’re into wine, don’t miss Jerez. It’s famous for its sherry, which originates from the area, and is filled with historic bodegas. One of the best tours is that offered by Tio Pepe, one of the most famous and historic sherry producers, in the centre of the city.
- Catch a flamenco show: Jerez is part of the ‘golden triangle’ of flamenco – the region of Spain where the historic art form comes from. Make sure you catch a show. There are a number of tablaos across the city – you can read a guide here.
- Explore the Alcázar of Jerez: Like many cities in southern Spain, Jerez has an impressive Moorish fortress, found right in the heart of the city. Jerez’s Alcazar is especially worth visiting for its imposing octagonal tower, looming over the city, and its Islamic-style gardens.
Top tip: Visit Las Banderillas for excellent Andalucían tapas.
6. Cádiz
How to get there: Around 1.5 hours by direct train or bus. A scenic ride that ends at the sea.
Why go: Europe’s oldest city still standing, Cádiz filled with history and dramatically surrounded by the Atlantic. Stretching out from its gorgeous old town are long, sandy beaches. Like its neighbour Jerez, it’s also one of flamenco’s true heartlands.
Top things to do:
- Explore the old town: Cádiz is the oldest city still standing in Europe, with a history stretching back 3,000 years. The best way to discover its long and winding history is on a walking tour – Cadizfornia is an excellent local agency that provides a range of tours. To discover more about its history, you could also visit the town’s museum, with artefacts from the many civilisations that’ve shaped the city.
- Walk to Castillo de San Sebastián: One of two castles in Cádiz, Castillo de San Sebastián is my personal favourite because of the journey you have to go on to visit it. Connected to the city by a narrow walkway, it’s a lovely (sometimes slightly splashy) walk across the sea to this imposing 18th-century fortress. Once you get there, enjoy the views out to the Atlantic.
- Hit the beach: Cádiz has several exceptional beaches. The most charming is Playa de la Caleta, a small bay close to the fishermen’s quarter. In the new part of town are the larger, sweeping sandy beaches for sunbathing.
Top tips:
- Don’t miss Cádiz’s central market for exceptional fresh local food.
- Another foodie hotspot is the old fisherman’s quarter. Taberna Casa Manteca is especially a local favourite.
- If it’s hot, seek some shade in Cádiz’s most beautiful park, Parque Genoves.
7. Gibraltar
How to get there: Around 2.5 hours by bus to La Línea de la Concepción, then walk across the border. Don’t forget your passport!
Why go: The Rock of Gibraltar is, simply, one of the most dramatic geological sites in this part of the world. This is only added to by Gibraltar’s slight oddness – a small slice of Britain right at the bottom of Spain. Think fish and chips, pints of beer, and red phone boxes. And did I mention monkeys?
Top things to do:
- Climb (or take the cable car) up the Rock: The Rock of Gibraltar is Gibraltar’s main draw – a stunning limestone mountain, visible for miles around. It’s packed with historical sites, such as the miles of tunnels dug to defend the Rock during multiple conflicts, and views across the ocean. Running all over are Europe’s only wild monkeys.
- Go duty-free shopping: Many people visit Gibraltar for its famous duty-free shopping, with many (but not all) goods available for cheaper than elsewhere.
- Dolphin spotting: The Bay of Gibraltar is filled with wild dolphins. Book a boat tour from Ocean Village for almost guaranteed sightings. When we saw, we literally lost count.
Top tips:
- Since Brexit, crossing the border isn’t quite as seamless as it used to be. Don’t forget your passport, and you may also be asked for proof of your flight home.
- If you can, Gibraltar is a great place to spend a night or two – there are some excellent hotels and places to stay in Gibraltar.
- Don’t try to see everything on the Rock – there’s too much. Pick and choose what you want to prioritise and plan ahead. You can find my guide to visiting the Rock of Gibraltar here.
- Be careful around the monkeys. They look cute, but they’re wild animals.
8. Doñana National Park
How to get there: Best accessed via an organised tour from Seville. If driving, head to El Rocío or Sanlúcar de Barrameda as gateways to the park.
Why go: A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s most important wetlands, Doñana is a haven for birdlife and biodiversity.
Top 3 things to do:
- Go wildlife spotting: Look for flamingos, lynx, wild boar, and countless bird species on a guided safari.
- Explore El Rocío: A wild west-style town with sandy streets and whitewashed chapels.
- Take a 4×4 tour: These guided drives get you deep into the park’s marshlands, dunes, and forests.
Whether you’re into history, nature, art, or just a good glass of sherry, Seville offers easy access to some of Spain’s most unforgettable spots. Each of these day trips adds a new layer to your experience of Andalucía – and they’re all easily reachable in a day.
About the Author
Jamie is the author of What’s down that street?, a blog for travellers with an interest in history, architecture, and sustainability.
